Ward was not the only goaltending note from the Hurricanes-Panthers game. With Jose Theodore out for the Panthers and placed on injured reserve, Florida goaltender coach Robb Tallas suited-up for Sunday's game and was on the bench for most of the first period as the backup goaltender.

Jacob Markstrom was recalled from San Antonio in the AHL for Sunday's game, but his gear was late in arriving so Tallas, 39, was signed to a one-day contact in case Markstrom couldn't play. Markstrom replaced Tallas on the bench with 3:44 left in the first.